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Discover how prioritizing proper energy, caring for body and spirit, and emulating Christ's energy can lead to a fulfilling spiritual life. Learn the importance of zeal and diligence, defined in Ezra 7:23 and NT, for completing the work of the Lord with pure conduct. Avoid laziness and embrace diligence to achieve your spiritual goals with the end result in mind. Seize opportunities to serve God diligently and with zeal.
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Review – Amplifying Our Energy • Proper Energy Requires Priorities • Proper Energy = Caring for Body and Spirit • We should seek to have the energy of Christ (Jn. 14:31, 13:1, 4:31-36; 9:4-5)
Finishing with Diligence Diligence Defined • Ezra 7:23 • adrazda • Strong’s - quickly or carefully:--diligently • Doing the work of the Lord means doing it with energy (zeal), in a timely manner, and carefully (in the right way).
Finishing with Diligence Diligence Defined • NT • spoudazo • Strong’s - to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study. • 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:10; 2 Pet. 3:14; Jude 3
Finishing with Diligence How do zeal and diligence go together? • Rom. 12:10-12 • Zeal is never complete without diligence. • Diligence becomes hollow without zeal.
Finishing with Diligence Diligence = Pure & Right Conduct • Prov. 20:11 • Pure Conduct (Mt. 5:8; Jas. 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:22) • Right Conduct (Mt. 5:6, 10; Mt. 5:17-20; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Tim. 6:10-12; 1 Jn. 2:29)
Finishing with Diligence Diligence ≠ Laziness • Ezra 7:23 • Diligence helps us to FINISH our work for God (Prov. 6:9-11; Phil. 1:9-11; Phil. 4:8-9)
Finishing with Diligence Diligence Looks to the End Result • Prov. 21:5 • Lk. 14:28-33 • Prov. 6:6-8
Finishing with Diligence Diligence Seizes Opportunities • Jn. 9:4 • Gal. 6:10; Col. 4:5-6 • Col. 4:3